As hinted at earlier, things picked up a bit this week! New items follow.
NEW WHITES:
(new vintage) Excelsior 2012 Chardonnay @ $8.99
hints of peach, marmalade and orange blossom on the nose and green apple fruit flavors on a full creamy palate, only very lightly oaked
Il Nuraghe 2011 Vermentino "Le Giare" @ $10.99
from a top-ranking coop in Sardinia, crisp, with delicate notes of pears and white flowers and and a lovely saline quality on the palate
Gaujal de Saint Bon 2011 Picpoul de Pinet @ $10.99
a white from a small producer in the Languedoc, with strong mineral and citrus notes on the nose and a palate that is crisp and juicy
Bohigas 2012 Xarello @ $10.99
a still version of one of the grapes used to make cava, Spain's sparkling wine, very fresh and floral in style with notes of fresh fruits and pineapple followed by hints of aromatic herbs
Antonopoulos 2011 Moschofilero @ $11.99
from Mantinia in Greece's Peloponnese, highly aromatic with snappy texture and decent acidity
Complices de Loire 2011 Touraine @ $11.99
a negociant wine from the Loire Valley, focused and fresh, with bright citrus notes and strong minerality
Os Cobatos 2012 Godello @ $12.99
from the windswept slopes of Spain's northwestern coast, a fresh, textbook Godello, clean and zesty, with lime and white flowers on the nose and palate and lingering minerality
Antonopoullos 2011 Adoli Ghis @ $13.99
refreshing and fruity with aromas of melon, mango, kiwi and pineapple and thirst-quenching acidity
Il Nuraghe 2011 Nuragus "Ajo" @ $13.99
made from what is probably one of the first vines to be introduced on Sardinia from Asia Minor, a lightly fruity wine with notes of green apples and a touch of honey
(new vintage) Brocard 2011 Bourgogne @ $14.99
a tangy yet rich-textured flavor profile, with elegant flinty, smoky hints and a long, refined finish, Chablis in all but the name
(new vintage) Zemmer 2012 Pinot Grigio @ $15.99
full and rich, with an elegant flowery aroma with typical tones of ripe fruit and spices, full-bodied on the palate, with fresh acidity and great minerality
Teperberg 2010 Terra Sauvignon Blanc @ $18.99
from Israel's oldest privately-owned winery, a medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc with orange and tropical fruit aromas and slight herbal accents, Kosher
Afianes 2011 Begleri @ $26.99
a fascinating new entry from the island of Ikaria in the Aegean, quite tart with flavors of not-quite-ripe apricots and kumquat, juicy peach on the finish and a nice saline minerality, only 500 cases made
Drouhin 2010 Puligny-Montrachet @ $52.99
a wine of great finesse, distinguished and elegant. pure and bright, finishing with an edge of menthol austerity to the white white peach and stone fruit flavors
(new vintage) Excelsior 2012 Chardonnay @ $8.99
hints of peach, marmalade and orange blossom on the nose and green apple fruit flavors on a full creamy palate, only very lightly oaked
Il Nuraghe 2011 Vermentino "Le Giare" @ $10.99
from a top-ranking coop in Sardinia, crisp, with delicate notes of pears and white flowers and and a lovely saline quality on the palate
Gaujal de Saint Bon 2011 Picpoul de Pinet @ $10.99
a white from a small producer in the Languedoc, with strong mineral and citrus notes on the nose and a palate that is crisp and juicy
Bohigas 2012 Xarello @ $10.99
a still version of one of the grapes used to make cava, Spain's sparkling wine, very fresh and floral in style with notes of fresh fruits and pineapple followed by hints of aromatic herbs
Antonopoulos 2011 Moschofilero @ $11.99
from Mantinia in Greece's Peloponnese, highly aromatic with snappy texture and decent acidity
Complices de Loire 2011 Touraine @ $11.99
a negociant wine from the Loire Valley, focused and fresh, with bright citrus notes and strong minerality
Os Cobatos 2012 Godello @ $12.99
from the windswept slopes of Spain's northwestern coast, a fresh, textbook Godello, clean and zesty, with lime and white flowers on the nose and palate and lingering minerality
Antonopoullos 2011 Adoli Ghis @ $13.99
refreshing and fruity with aromas of melon, mango, kiwi and pineapple and thirst-quenching acidity
Il Nuraghe 2011 Nuragus "Ajo" @ $13.99
made from what is probably one of the first vines to be introduced on Sardinia from Asia Minor, a lightly fruity wine with notes of green apples and a touch of honey
(new vintage) Brocard 2011 Bourgogne @ $14.99
a tangy yet rich-textured flavor profile, with elegant flinty, smoky hints and a long, refined finish, Chablis in all but the name
(new vintage) Zemmer 2012 Pinot Grigio @ $15.99
full and rich, with an elegant flowery aroma with typical tones of ripe fruit and spices, full-bodied on the palate, with fresh acidity and great minerality
Teperberg 2010 Terra Sauvignon Blanc @ $18.99
from Israel's oldest privately-owned winery, a medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc with orange and tropical fruit aromas and slight herbal accents, Kosher
Afianes 2011 Begleri @ $26.99
a fascinating new entry from the island of Ikaria in the Aegean, quite tart with flavors of not-quite-ripe apricots and kumquat, juicy peach on the finish and a nice saline minerality, only 500 cases made
Drouhin 2010 Puligny-Montrachet @ $52.99
a wine of great finesse, distinguished and elegant. pure and bright, finishing with an edge of menthol austerity to the white white peach and stone fruit flavors
NEW REDS:
Mitravelas Red on Black 2011 Nemea @ $9.99
a Nemean wine made from Agiorgitiko, with smooth and delicious red fruit flavors and ample balancing acidity
(new vintage) Elsa Bianchi 2012 Malbec @ $9.99
classic Malbec, with aromas of ripe plum and violets and hints of vanilla, pleasing fruit on the palate that mimics the aroma, soft and supple with a lingering finish
Chais St. Laurent 2011 Chinon @ $10.99
made by Foucher-Lebrun, a negociant specializing in wines from the Loire Valley, 100% Cabernet Franc, medium-bodied, highly aromatic, bright and fresh with lovely red fruit and soft tannins
Zolo 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $11.99
made by the former winemaker at Petrus, an Argentine Cab with aromas of ripe cherries, boysenberries, and spice, with good length and oak and fruit in good balance
Bellerives 2010 Bordeaux @ $12.99
a classic Bordeaux blend from an outstanding vintage, with blackberry aromas, a hint of vanilla, and soft accessible flavors, Kosher/Mevushal for Passover
(new vintage) Reunion 2010 Tinto @ $12.99
Mitravelas Red on Black 2011 Nemea @ $9.99
a Nemean wine made from Agiorgitiko, with smooth and delicious red fruit flavors and ample balancing acidity
(new vintage) Elsa Bianchi 2012 Malbec @ $9.99
classic Malbec, with aromas of ripe plum and violets and hints of vanilla, pleasing fruit on the palate that mimics the aroma, soft and supple with a lingering finish
Chais St. Laurent 2011 Chinon @ $10.99
made by Foucher-Lebrun, a negociant specializing in wines from the Loire Valley, 100% Cabernet Franc, medium-bodied, highly aromatic, bright and fresh with lovely red fruit and soft tannins
Zolo 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $11.99
made by the former winemaker at Petrus, an Argentine Cab with aromas of ripe cherries, boysenberries, and spice, with good length and oak and fruit in good balance
Bellerives 2010 Bordeaux @ $12.99
a classic Bordeaux blend from an outstanding vintage, with blackberry aromas, a hint of vanilla, and soft accessible flavors, Kosher/Mevushal for Passover
(new vintage) Reunion 2010 Tinto @ $12.99
made from estate-grown grapes by a father and his four daughters, a ripe, juicy blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Merlot, rich and round, laced with chocolate and tobacco, with a smooth, velvety finish
Il Nuraghe 2011 Cannonau "Nero Sardo" @ $12.99
100% Cannonau (Grenache) from Sardinia, with ripe red fruit aromas and a complex and subtle but nicely balanced, well structured palate
Capezzana 2009 Barco Reale @ $13.99
the young version of Carmignano, a blend of mostly Sangiovese and Cabernet, smooth and supple, layered and expressive, a great wine for the money
Piaugier 2010 Sablet @ $13.99
a 75/25 Grenache/Syrah blend, with ripe red fruits and floral pastilles on an intensely perfumed nose and on the palate, finishes spicy, smoky and very long, with velvety tannins providing focus and grip
(new vintage) Bonterra 2009 Zinfandel @ $15.99
aromas of mixed berries and raspberry liqueur, flavors of blackberry, plum and black pepper, a silky texture and balanced acidity
(new vintage) Loca Linda 2011 Malbec @ $15.99
well made and easy-drinking, a Malbec overflowing with fruit a big blackberry and fresh plum character with undertones of coffee and just a bit of leather
Rodet 2009 Givry @ $16.99
intense aromas of cherries and almonds, pure and solid on the palate with bright fruit, firm yet warm tannins
(back) Vajra 2011 Dolcetto @ $16.99
a vibrant and delicious wine that's full of dark fruit and aromas of herbs, red flowers and spice, quite possibly the best Dolcetto we've ever tasted
Garatina 2011 Barbera @ $16.99
from a small family-run estate in the Piedmont, 100% Barbera, well balanced and pure, with an intense, elegant and pervasive bouquet, and a lingering, well- defined, harmonoiusly fresh flavor
Foucher-Lebrun 2011 Sancerre Rouge @ $17.99
made by a negociant specializing in wines from the Loire Valley, 100% Pinot Noir sourced from parcels throughout the center of the Loire, red berries, cherries and licorice on the nose, followed by firmness and richness on the palate with balanced acidity and soft tannins
Lambert 2011 Chinon @ $17.99
100% Cabernet Franc from sandy and gravelly soils, pure and beautiful, with charming fruit that's refreshing and full of energy
Il Nuraghe 2010 Monica "San Bernardino" @ $17.99
from a top-ranking coop in Sardinia, soft and medium-bodied with notes of wild blackberries and a touch of spice
Babcock 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
spicy boysenberry and black cherry on the nose, soft dusty tannins on the palate, a Cab with great intensity and a lingering finish
Forefront 2011 Pinot Noir @ $19.99
bearing the second label of Pine Ridge, a bright young Pinot with intricate layers of complexity and a rich palate laden with flavors of berry compote, rose petals, spice and lingering acidity
(new vintage) A to Z 2011 Pinot Noir @ $20.99
from Oregon's Willamette Valley, a Pinot with elegant and complex fruit aromas, soft in the mouth with admirable finesse, finishing with a mild herbal oak note
Bernabeleva 2010 Camino de Navaherreras Garnacha @ $20.99
from an up-and-coming, tiny, new winery located on the far western edge of the Vinos de Madrid DO, a bright, lively red made from 80-year-old Grenache vines, with fresh and energetic fruit and aromas of Asian spices
Zolo 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva @ $20.99
made by the former winemaker at Petrus, an Argentine Cab with powerful and complex aromas of cassis, plums and red fruit, and hints of vanilla and caramel
Teperberg 2009 Terra Malbec @ $25.99
from Israel's oldest privately-owned winery, a full-bodied Malbec characterized by an intensely deep color and an infusion of forest fruit flavor, aged twelve months in French oak, Kosher for Passover
Waters 2010 Interlude @ $27.99
a Bordeaux-style blend from Washington's Columbia Valley, Merlot-driven, focused and ripe with spices and red fruits
SLODown Wines 2011 Sexual Chocolate @ $28.99
a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Syrah, rich and warm, smooth, deep, and refined
Poliziano 2009 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano @ $29.99
intensely perfumed, well structured, expressive to the fullest of the character of the Prugnolo Gentile grape
Vajra 2008 Barolo Albe @ $34.99
rose, strawberry and cherry aromas, an elegant frame, great harmony and depth and a fine lingering finish
Fort Ross 2011 Pinot Noir Sea Slopes @ $35.99
an expressive Pinot with black cherry and wild berry aromas that are elegantly balanced by notes of forest floor and cedar, finishes with silky tannins and the signature minerality of the Fort Ross Vineyard's coastal terroir
(new vintage) Trinoro 2009 Le Cupole @ $38.99
a radiant wine with layers of silky red berries, a wonderful sense of balance all the way through to the finish, rated one of the finest wines being made in Tuscany today in its price range
Sansonina 2007 Merlot @ $39.99
from the Veneto region of Italy, a Merlot with an overt, lush personality but also plenty of focus and length
Etude 2010 Pinot Noir @ $40.99
a blend of the best grapes from individual vineyard designates on the winery's Carneros estate, with aromas of black cherry and Asian spices, a concentrated fruit core, refined tannins, bright acidity, and an elegant mouthfeel
Martin Ray 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Stag's Leap District @ $44.99
luscious, velvety and rich, with abundant flavors of juicy blackberry, mocha, vanilla and spice, which linger through the finish
Brown 2010 Chaos Theory @ $44.99
a Napa Valley blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet, and Petite Sirah, with beautiful fruit, bold spices, exquisite concentration, and superbly smooth texture
(new vintage) Domaine de la Solitude 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape @ $44.99
a blend of mostly Grenache and Syrah with a little Cinsault and Mourvedre in the mix, mostly from 30-50-year-old vines, a round, generous, delicious wine ideal for drinking over the next ten to twelve years
Monsanto 2003 Nemo Cabernet Sauvignon @ $51.99
from a top Chianti producer, a plump, engaging wine loaded with ripe dark fruit showing awesome richness and an elegant, refined personality, considered one of the top wines from all of Tuscany in this vintage
(new vintage) Covenant 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $99.99
100% Cabernet from a small, ultra-premium vineyard north of St. Helena in Napa Valley, rich and complex with a velvety tannic structure, arguably the world's finest Kosher wine
Il Nuraghe 2011 Cannonau "Nero Sardo" @ $12.99
100% Cannonau (Grenache) from Sardinia, with ripe red fruit aromas and a complex and subtle but nicely balanced, well structured palate
Capezzana 2009 Barco Reale @ $13.99
the young version of Carmignano, a blend of mostly Sangiovese and Cabernet, smooth and supple, layered and expressive, a great wine for the money
Piaugier 2010 Sablet @ $13.99
a 75/25 Grenache/Syrah blend, with ripe red fruits and floral pastilles on an intensely perfumed nose and on the palate, finishes spicy, smoky and very long, with velvety tannins providing focus and grip
(new vintage) Bonterra 2009 Zinfandel @ $15.99
aromas of mixed berries and raspberry liqueur, flavors of blackberry, plum and black pepper, a silky texture and balanced acidity
(new vintage) Loca Linda 2011 Malbec @ $15.99
well made and easy-drinking, a Malbec overflowing with fruit a big blackberry and fresh plum character with undertones of coffee and just a bit of leather
Rodet 2009 Givry @ $16.99
intense aromas of cherries and almonds, pure and solid on the palate with bright fruit, firm yet warm tannins
(back) Vajra 2011 Dolcetto @ $16.99
a vibrant and delicious wine that's full of dark fruit and aromas of herbs, red flowers and spice, quite possibly the best Dolcetto we've ever tasted
Garatina 2011 Barbera @ $16.99
from a small family-run estate in the Piedmont, 100% Barbera, well balanced and pure, with an intense, elegant and pervasive bouquet, and a lingering, well- defined, harmonoiusly fresh flavor
Foucher-Lebrun 2011 Sancerre Rouge @ $17.99
made by a negociant specializing in wines from the Loire Valley, 100% Pinot Noir sourced from parcels throughout the center of the Loire, red berries, cherries and licorice on the nose, followed by firmness and richness on the palate with balanced acidity and soft tannins
Lambert 2011 Chinon @ $17.99
100% Cabernet Franc from sandy and gravelly soils, pure and beautiful, with charming fruit that's refreshing and full of energy
Il Nuraghe 2010 Monica "San Bernardino" @ $17.99
from a top-ranking coop in Sardinia, soft and medium-bodied with notes of wild blackberries and a touch of spice
Babcock 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $19.99
spicy boysenberry and black cherry on the nose, soft dusty tannins on the palate, a Cab with great intensity and a lingering finish
Forefront 2011 Pinot Noir @ $19.99
bearing the second label of Pine Ridge, a bright young Pinot with intricate layers of complexity and a rich palate laden with flavors of berry compote, rose petals, spice and lingering acidity
(new vintage) A to Z 2011 Pinot Noir @ $20.99
from Oregon's Willamette Valley, a Pinot with elegant and complex fruit aromas, soft in the mouth with admirable finesse, finishing with a mild herbal oak note
Bernabeleva 2010 Camino de Navaherreras Garnacha @ $20.99
from an up-and-coming, tiny, new winery located on the far western edge of the Vinos de Madrid DO, a bright, lively red made from 80-year-old Grenache vines, with fresh and energetic fruit and aromas of Asian spices
Zolo 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva @ $20.99
made by the former winemaker at Petrus, an Argentine Cab with powerful and complex aromas of cassis, plums and red fruit, and hints of vanilla and caramel
Teperberg 2009 Terra Malbec @ $25.99
from Israel's oldest privately-owned winery, a full-bodied Malbec characterized by an intensely deep color and an infusion of forest fruit flavor, aged twelve months in French oak, Kosher for Passover
Waters 2010 Interlude @ $27.99
a Bordeaux-style blend from Washington's Columbia Valley, Merlot-driven, focused and ripe with spices and red fruits
SLODown Wines 2011 Sexual Chocolate @ $28.99
a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Syrah, rich and warm, smooth, deep, and refined
Poliziano 2009 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano @ $29.99
intensely perfumed, well structured, expressive to the fullest of the character of the Prugnolo Gentile grape
Vajra 2008 Barolo Albe @ $34.99
rose, strawberry and cherry aromas, an elegant frame, great harmony and depth and a fine lingering finish
Fort Ross 2011 Pinot Noir Sea Slopes @ $35.99
an expressive Pinot with black cherry and wild berry aromas that are elegantly balanced by notes of forest floor and cedar, finishes with silky tannins and the signature minerality of the Fort Ross Vineyard's coastal terroir
(new vintage) Trinoro 2009 Le Cupole @ $38.99
a radiant wine with layers of silky red berries, a wonderful sense of balance all the way through to the finish, rated one of the finest wines being made in Tuscany today in its price range
Sansonina 2007 Merlot @ $39.99
from the Veneto region of Italy, a Merlot with an overt, lush personality but also plenty of focus and length
Etude 2010 Pinot Noir @ $40.99
a blend of the best grapes from individual vineyard designates on the winery's Carneros estate, with aromas of black cherry and Asian spices, a concentrated fruit core, refined tannins, bright acidity, and an elegant mouthfeel
Martin Ray 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Stag's Leap District @ $44.99
luscious, velvety and rich, with abundant flavors of juicy blackberry, mocha, vanilla and spice, which linger through the finish
Brown 2010 Chaos Theory @ $44.99
a Napa Valley blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet, and Petite Sirah, with beautiful fruit, bold spices, exquisite concentration, and superbly smooth texture
(new vintage) Domaine de la Solitude 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape @ $44.99
a blend of mostly Grenache and Syrah with a little Cinsault and Mourvedre in the mix, mostly from 30-50-year-old vines, a round, generous, delicious wine ideal for drinking over the next ten to twelve years
Monsanto 2003 Nemo Cabernet Sauvignon @ $51.99
from a top Chianti producer, a plump, engaging wine loaded with ripe dark fruit showing awesome richness and an elegant, refined personality, considered one of the top wines from all of Tuscany in this vintage
(new vintage) Covenant 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon @ $99.99
100% Cabernet from a small, ultra-premium vineyard north of St. Helena in Napa Valley, rich and complex with a velvety tannic structure, arguably the world's finest Kosher wine
NEW ROSES:
Siatista 2011 Dio Fili @ $8.99
100% Xynomavro from a new winery in Macedonia, with explosive aromas of fresh fruit, full on the palate with a long aftertaste, nerve and freshness
Babcock 2011 Identity Crisis @ $14.99
a rose in appearance but labeled "White Syrah" by the winemaker, fresh and forward with racy lemon and mineral notes and a bone-dry finish
Vignelaure 2012 Aix-en-Provence @ $20.99
a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet, a rose with unusual weight, body and structure
Siatista 2011 Dio Fili @ $8.99
100% Xynomavro from a new winery in Macedonia, with explosive aromas of fresh fruit, full on the palate with a long aftertaste, nerve and freshness
Babcock 2011 Identity Crisis @ $14.99
a rose in appearance but labeled "White Syrah" by the winemaker, fresh and forward with racy lemon and mineral notes and a bone-dry finish
Vignelaure 2012 Aix-en-Provence @ $20.99
a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet, a rose with unusual weight, body and structure
ALSO NEW AND NOTEWORTHY:
En Fuego NV Brut Cava @ $10.99
crisp and intense, with a classic bouquet of citrus and flint, Kosher for Passover (or for any celebration)
Segura Viudas NV "Heredad" Brut Reserva @ $19.99
a cava rich in texture, creamy and supple, with toast, pears and vanilla on the nose and a refreshing lingering finish
En Fuego NV Brut Cava @ $10.99
crisp and intense, with a classic bouquet of citrus and flint, Kosher for Passover (or for any celebration)
Segura Viudas NV "Heredad" Brut Reserva @ $19.99
a cava rich in texture, creamy and supple, with toast, pears and vanilla on the nose and a refreshing lingering finish